Topgun 3006

I can't even remember what the bet was because I was too busy badgering skinnnner, LOL!!!

Muley Hunter

I can't remember exactly. He pays for the hunt, and if you lose you have to buy him a ticket to I think Texas.

Sure wish a bow hunter would take him up on it.

iamyourhuckleberry

Top,

Thank you for the kind words. I do not write professionally, but I do trying diligently to recount every detail from my hunts. In most cases, I show people what not to shot, especially if they're a trophy hunters. I was raised by an incredible meat hunting father-I loved every moment in the woods with him. Thus, I insticntively shoot what God sends. On occassion, I have been fortunate enough to arrow some amazing animals.

With that said, I would not trade my experiences for all the tea in China. For me, the experience is my trophy...when I display the experience, I want it to be perfect.
　
Muley,

Fair enough, no bet...

Why the bow? It's because it requires a tremendous amount of skill in the hunting arena, probably more so than any other legal method. I preface this on the fact that knives and spears are illegal in this land you and I call home. Otherwise, I would have the hunter hunting with one of those tools. I would win the bet for sure...

At 300 feet per second, I have personally witnessed axis out run the flight of an arrow. The distance was less than 30 yards. At 1350-1800 feet per second, the chances of an axis deer outrunning a ball is less. Sure, the effective ranges are approximately the same, but once a muzzleloader is leveled by a skilled shooter it's game over. The logistics may be the same, but the dynamics are certainly apples to oranges. The bow has a degree of difficulty I found appropriate for the task.

Muley Hunter

I understand the difficulty of bow hunting, and I wish I had got into it when I was younger. I try and restrict myself as much as I can with my style and weapon. My dad was a still hunter, and that's what he taught me. He always told me to not make hunting too easy. It won't be satisfying, and it won't be enough of a challenge to keep me interested. He was right. For me anyway.

However, getting back to your bet. Isn't the purpose of the bet to show your fenced hunt is just as hard as public land hunt, or do you want to show your way with a bow is harder?

Colorado Luckydog

I'd take the challenge of a fenced hunt with a bow...if fenced hunting wasn't lame.

Champlain Islander

I have hunted area 861/ 86/ 85 and 083 eight times in the past 7 years with great success. It is an area on the eastern rim and not far from the NM border. Most of the hunts have been on a large piece of private land that my hunting partner is a co-op owner meaning he owns a small piece and if he allows hunting he and a guest can hunt the rest of the land that isn't posted. It is a 17,000 acre ranch with some great mule deer and elk hunting fairly close to the fabled Trinchera ranch. In addition I have hunted some pub lands and a wilderness area which is nearby. Unfortunately I will be unable to hunt with my usual partner on that piece of private land because he is limited in the number of guests he can bring and he is slated to go with some family members this next year so if I do hunt Co during 2013 it will be on pub lands with another partner or two. I am in the process of putting together a DIY deer hunt in Northern Ontario for next November so I am focused on getting that together before dealing with another Colorado trip. That ferry ride from North Sydney NS is really something. Very large ferry that can take about 250 cars and if you want some good advice take one of the night crossings and rent a cabin that sleeps 4 with shower. You can sleep your way across the straights which takes 7-8 hours and can be really rough. Nothing to see on a day voyage since the land goes away quickly. Since our ride was several hours from the ferry to the outfitter we decided to drive the 16 hours from VT, sleep the ferry ride and then drive to the cabin after docking the next morning. Bring 16" to 18" rubber boots with good soles. Lots of walking and the weather shouldn’t be that cold so uninsulated might be the best bet. I wouldn’t recommend leather boots for anything other than walking from the truck to the cabin. The rocks which are everywhere are wet and very slippery and at least in the area we hunted was very wet with lots of bogs and swamps. Even the tundra is wet underneath and taking every step is tiring because it gives and then you have to pick the foot up to get out of the muck. The wind is always blowing and it rains quite a bit so a good Gore-Tex rain suit is needed with a back pack for carrying layers. I didn't have that set up my first trip and I froze with the wind and rain cutting right through me. You can expect fairly warm weather during that time but occasionally they do get some snow. We always went mid October and it was starting to get colder then and usually we did see some snow. Most of the bou hunting was spot and stalk from an elevated land point and glassing the surrounding tundra. Once a good animal is spotted it is off to the races which could be a mile or two away (they talk in Kilometers) to get to a point where you can intersect them using that constant wind to your advantage. You should be there during a good time especially for the moose. The racks aren’t that large there but the bodies are real blocky on the moose and there are a lot of them. Good luck on your hunt on the “Rock”.

CI

iamyourhuckleberry

Thanks for the information CI. The ferry crossing was a bit of a black spot for me. Renting a cabin with a shower sounds like the way to go, God knows we'll need one by then. My focus will be more on the caribou than the moose. I've been told they can range in the same area. is this correct? I told myself I would begin doing all the research after the first of the year. I guess early is better than never, eh? Do the newfoundlanders say "eh" a lot?


Muley,

Peel the onion, my friend. Have you ever been on a late season elk hunt here in Colorado? Killing an elk when they are at lower elevations, concentrated, and on public land with a scoped high powered rifle is child's play. An iron sight muzzleloader would add a little more difficulty. A bow would add even more difficulty. A sling shot and marble adds even more yet. We have at our disposal a whole cornucopia of tools, do we not? Every situation needs to be assessed, whether it's inside or outside the tool we call a fence (the fence is no different than the bullet we use to run down animals in that it is still a tool). After that assessment, we can decide which tool, or combination of tools, is best suited for the job. If the hunt needs to be challenging and time is not a factor, then perhaps the bow is the best tool for the job. If, on the other hand, time is a factor, then perhaps a scoped rifle is a better choice. I guess that's the neat thing about being a hunter. You get to individually assign that degree of difficulty that best suits you and your pursuits. I really do not think that is a hard concept to understand.

I would allow you to use a crossbow (you can borrow my daughter's) if you'd care to give it a try. When we're done inside the fence, I will take you to a public land hunt (you will have to buy your tag and 3 days worth of food, I'll get the rest) and you can make the comparison yourself. I guarantee you will be surprised what you discovery. The first hunt will be on no more than 1200 acres; the second will be on North America.

What do you say old dog (with all due respect)? Would you care to learn a new trick?

Lucky,

Thanks for your input...When I see the photo of you naked holding a big game animal that you have killed with your bare hands and teeth, then you can address what is lame and what isn't lame with my full respect.

Muley Hunter

Actually, the winter range is right outside of my town. It's level, and elk would be sitting ducks. No, I would never hunt that season. I hunt early seasons when the elk are at timber line. As I said already. I wasn't taught to take the easy way. For me the hunt is everything. I don't hunt for just the kill.

Thanks for your offer, but I have to decline. It goes against all I believe in. I only talk for myself when I talk about the way I hunt. When I say a certain style of hunting is wrong. I mean it's wrong for me. Not for others. Everybody is free to hunt like they want to.

As Popeye says.........I yam what I yam.

Charlie P

Hunting a high fence small enclosure is for people that were happy getting a participation trophy in little league or Youth Football.

skinnnner

Lol,funny guy